Etihad appoints SVP of aeropolitical and government affairs

Etihad Airways has appointed Captain Khalid Humaid Al Ali as Senior Vice President Aeropolitical, International and Government Affairs, reinforcing its global expansion efforts during one of the most significant growth phases in the airline’s history.

 

Bringing more than a decade of experience from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Captain Al Ali joins Etihad after serving as Senior Director of the Air Transport Department from 2013 to 2025. He was instrumental in advancing the country’s aviation agenda, leading negotiations on air service agreements and advising the Federal Government on strategic policy.

 

In his new role, Captain Al Ali will now spearhead Etihad’s aeropolitical agenda and international relations strategy to support continued network expansion and “global growth”. He will report to Dr Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad.

 

A seasoned aviation leader with more than 40 years of experience, Captain Al Ali holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) with over 12,000 flying hours. His academic credentials include a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Law, and a Judicial Expertise Diploma from the Dubai Judicial Institute, as well as diplomas in Arbitration and International Relations. 

 

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He is also an appointed aviation legal expert in UAE courts, having contributed to more than 50 cases.

 

The appointment comes as Etihad continues an aggressive network expansion, having launched or announced 27 new destinations within a 12‑month period. Many of these new services are scheduled to begin in March 2026, connecting Abu Dhabi with emerging markets across the Caucasus, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

 

Upcoming routes include Baku in Azerbaijan (2 March), Yerevan in Armenia (9 March), Tbilisi in Georgia (13 March), Almaty in Kazakhstan (16 March), Bucharest in Romania (16 March) and Tashkent in Uzbekistan (17 March). 

 

Etihad reported a strong start to 2026, carrying 2.2 million passengers in January, marking a 29% year-on-year increase, driven by fleet growth and strategic route expansion.

 

For more information, visit etihad.com